by Christine Eclavea Mercer

Home decorating with French style decor is a great way to rejuvenate tired rooms. The good news is that you are able to achieve the look of French country without spending a lot of money. Because the look takes advantage of older pieces, you might pick up some accents or some major elements of your design from second-hand or antique shops. Attending estate sales and country auctions is another way to find bargains without spending a fortune.

A French country kitchen usually comes to mind when you think of decorating with this theme. Kitchens are easy to redo. You are able to retain modern appliances, but add finishing touches and accessories that identify with the atmosphere of a kitchen in rural France. A pottery pitcher filled with fresh or silk flowers on a wooden cabinet is one example. Use stencils effectively to get the colors of France included in your decorating scheme.

Warm natural colors are common. Gold and yellow from the sunshine, pastel blues from the summer skies and dark, rich reds from the wildflowers that grow in the fields are all part of the color scheme you can use in your French country kitchen and throughout your home.

Use the color in your living room that is calming and welcoming at the same time. You can add fat candles as decorative touches. Wall decorations such as metal sconces should be brass or black painted metal with graceful designs. Flowers in decorative pottery containers add to the ambiance of France. You can often find collectible items that relate to French country accessories. These small vases or figures could be placed in a shadow box or wall display case.

In your French style bedroom, stay away from silks and satins. You can continue to use colors and fabrics that reflect a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. The bedrooms should always reflect a restful mood so that you can enjoy sleeping. Try aromatic herbs and potpourri containers in bureau drawers or as decorative accents. These can be beneficial to your physical health while the colors and scents help your emotional well-being as well.

In the bathroom, you might want to use pottery soap dishes, toothbrush holders and lotion dispensers. If you use a shower curtain, use a design that incorporates your color scheme, but is not vinyl. You can always use a vinyl liner but the decorative portion should be fabric. The towel racks and toilet paper holders can all provide an atmosphere of fun. Avoid overly complex decorations and accent pieces.

If you live in a climate where outdoor living is possible, you can carry the French style onto your deck or patio. Use a multitude of large or small pots and containers in various colors placed on different levels. These containers can be filled with flowers and herbs to brighten the look of your outdoor living space. Don’t be limited by traditional flowering plants either. Try tomatoes, red and orange bell peppers and yellow summer squash plants.

If you are creative, using French style decor will be easy for you. If your imagination is challenged, the Internet is a rich source of ideas and suggestions. You can combine your own preferences with ideas from others to come up with a French home decor that is unique.

Related French Home Decor Articles

by flyingpuppy

Are you having difficulty deciding on a home decorating theme?…How about Tuscan?

It’s rich cultural heritage and simple elegance are what draw so many to this beautiful style. Because it combines a unique antique flavor and ‘livability’ more and more homeowners are opting for this Italian masterpiece.

Using a palette of earth tones, tuscan (which is an Italian country design) brings the outdoors inside. This design uses distinct materials to help accomplish it’s magic. The Tuscan style is unique as well as beautiful.

When deciding on a tuscan theme, you’ll be using textures, such as stone and tile for the flooring and furnishings. This helps to create a natural atmosphere. Plaster is suggested for the walls, again, to add texture and a natural feel. This would provide an opportunity for you to use your creativity and even have some fun.

Tables are often made of stone and Tile mosaics are another possibility for in the tuscan themed home.

“What are four walls, anyway? They are what they contain. The house protects the dreamer. Unthinkably good things can happen… ” From Frances in Under A Tuscan Sun

No decorating theme that centers around nature would be complete without wood. It′s exquisite textures and intricate details make wood a perfect compliment to the Old World style and Tuscan makes great use of this natural resource. One example of this is the exposed framework. The large wooden beams create a comfortable, rustic look. Another is in the construction of furniture. The goal here is to make it look aged and antique. By staining and ‘aging′ the wood, you can create an antique feel while maintaining rugged endurance.

Tuscan is based on a cultural heritage. By using accessories this heritage can be highlighted and celebrated. Accessories that are homemade are common for this genre. Ceramics are big in tuscan decorating too! Silver, copper, iron are all common in tuscan design. Themes that include olives, grapes, wine and pottery, scrolled ironwork, stone, marble and handcrafted tiles in an old world style and many other possibilities. Terra cotta is also popular when using the tuscan theme so a vase for fresh cut flowers on the tiled mosaic table in the center of the room under the cast iron chandelier would make a fabulous entryway into your home.

Tuscan fabric is unequalled in it’s simple beauty. Savannah and tobacco cloth, burlap, abaca, fibers from the banana and coconut trees are all used to create a natural lived-in space. These materials are very versatile and your only limitation is your imagination. They can be used for just about anything from curtains and drapes, blinds, wall decorations, room and space dividers, privacy screens, elegant table placemats or conversation pieces on your coffee table, entryway rugs and foor coverings can all be created simply by using some of these various tuscan fabrics because of their weight, density and flexibility allow for many applications.

Tuscan also uses colors such as yellow and red. These colors can be used in decorations for tables, a chair cover, tie-backs to accentuate and complement curtains and drapes. Use of yellow and red ribbon and ties to decorate candlesticks is not uncommon. Any material or color that reminds us of the ocean, the earth, the beautiful blue sky or the deep rich forest, will bring a warm and inviting feel to tuscan home. The color, texture, fabric and accessories will create a warm and inviting feeling in any space in your home.

This warm and inviting theme of simplicity and nature is a great home decorating idea.

Tuscan Decor: Do it yourself! Tuscan style decorating on any budget! The Tuscan Home Decorating Guide and Website provides you with up to date tips and techniques using today’s decorating materials. Tuscan-Home-101.com is your one stop shop for top Tuscan Home Decorating resources and products. Find out who is on the top Resources page!

Actually, there are many places where you can find cheap home decor – online stores, thrift and dollar stores, garage sales and flea markets… And now, guess where you can get not only cheap home décor, but find it even free of charge? Nothing comes to mind? What about your own home, where you store dozens of unneeded items? They can become great objects for your home decoration! How? There are only three secrets for achieving the look of luxury home décor without spending a lot of money on it:

How about a park near your home? There, you can pick so many things and transform them into beautiful home décor: pinecones, flowers, leaves, grass, small tree branches. Pick some, bring them home, and add them to your existing home décor. You can arrange them together with candles, dry flowers, or colored stones. You can fill a simple glass jar or bottle with small dry flowers or pinecones and use them as a kitchen or bathroom décor.

Old items with a new look: Rearrange furniture in your rooms so that you can renew your home’s appearance.Bring a garden’s freshness to your home: Find a place in your interior for a flowerpot with a green plant or for a vase with an arrangement of dry flowers and grasses.Change the colors—paint your walls: For a more interesting look you can use different colors for different walls. You can also put wallpaper on only some walls. Refresh your old cabinets: You can either paint them or decorate with adhesive drawer liner. You can also add interesting, decorative cabinet knobs instead of your old ones.Renew your chairs and sofa with new slipcovers: You can find many discounted slipcovers in home décor stores and online. Or, instead of a new slipcover, you can decorate your sofa with some colored cushions or with a decorative throw.Add a touch of color to your home interior: Decorative ceramic accessories such as vases, framed tiles, or ceramic wall clocks will enliven your interior.Don’t forget about wall decal: It’s a quick way to decorate a large space, a kid’s room, or to hide any defects on the wall or a crack on your mirror’s surface.

Spanish style home decorating is a great way to get a rustic but colorful look in your home. This style, popular in the south, is really suitable for any area and can add a unique touch to any home.

When you want to decorate your home in a Spanish style, you will have a lot of fun. The Spanish style is very interesting with vibrant colors and textures used within it. You can bet that no matter how the home is decorated, you will need to incorporate the sense of family and community into the design. Take a look at how you can easily incorporate the Spanish style into your home. It can be really easy and fun!

Photos

One easy way to incorporate Spanish style into your home is with the use of family photos. You can use photos that you have taken yourself to get the task done. Simply choose various types of photo frames and put out your favorite pictures of family and friends. You should add them to each room to give the home a really comforting feeling.

Colors

When it comes to Spanish colors, you should think about using bright colors like red, yellow, orange, and blue. You will be able to bring out the Spanish décor elements with these bold colors. Be sure to add a beige or white to the mix as well to give the colors a nice background.

Furniture

Although it really doesn’t matter what type of furniture you use when you are using Spanish style home decorating, it should be comfortable and casual. Unless you are decorating a formal dining or living room, Spanish styled furniture is not overly formal. So be sure it is comfortable and big enough for everyone in the family to lounge on. Spanish style uses a lot of dark woods – worm wood in particular is nice.

Accessories

Use Spanish accessories to add an authentic touch to your décor. Grill grates and other accessories that use wrought iron can add a great touch, especially if they are vintage. Spanish pottery is another item that can be displayed in any room – on shelves or hang plates on scrolly plate hangers to give a unique homey feel.

Flooring

A Spanish style looks great with rustic tile flooring. Not the shiny porcelain stuff but the big reddish tiles with dark grout. Also, hardwood floors can go wonderful with this style. To soften up the room accent it with Spanish style rugs.

When you choose to decorate your home with Spanish style home decorating you can bring the elements in without spending a lot of money. You can simply add photos of your family, bright colors and comfortable furniture to get the look you want.

What does the term ‘Simple Home Decorating’ bring to mind? For many, it can mean a quick, easy and inexpensive decorating style. An uncluttered, understated and natural style can also define simple home decorating. In fact, all of these attributes can be incorporated into a simple home decor that will appeal to just about anyone, particularly those who are decorating on a budget but still want to create an appealing look for their home.

One very important starting point that is crucial in any home decor project is to de-clutter the area you are going to decorate, or in many situations, redecorate. Remove everything that you can physically carry out of the room, to give yourself a fresh start and the ability to really see what you are working with. This includes any accessories on shelves, throw rugs and wall decor – everything must go, at least for now. The only furnishings in the room should be large upholstery and casegoods that are too heavy to remove.

With the thought that simple home decorating evokes light, natural and easy to look upon, consider the floor and walls in this area. Do you need a fresh coat of neutral colored paint on the walls and ‘Ceiling White’ on the ceiling? How about the floor? If your budget can handle it, consider light carpeting, wood floors (natural or faux), or tile, all in lighter, natural finishes. If your budget will not allow for that expense, make sure the floors are sparkling clean. If your decorating style includes a more colorful approach for the walls, then use just one color and opt for a shade that is not overly bright.

Your next step is to carefully consider the upholstery in this room. Is the fabric dated, dark, stained, or generally not pleasant to view? A quick, easy and inexpensive solution is to discover the world of slipcovers. There are so many more choices, styles and fabrics now than there were five or ten years ago. You can find slipcovers for sofas, easy chairs, dining chairs, etc. They are made to fit particular styles of upholstery and look great. This is a wonderful way to create a different look in a room without spending a lot of money. If you choose this option, look for fabrics that fit your lifestyle as the first priority,then seek out lighter colors and patterns. These choices, along with the lighter colored walls, will keep your room looking fresh, open and uncluttered.

Now that you have addressed the ceiling, walls, floor and larger pieces in the room, it’s time to think about the smaller items and accessories. Bear in mind the goal is to look for natural, uncluttered, simple and inexpensive. First, do an inventory of all of the ‘stuff′ you have in your closets, kitchen cabinets and other storage areas. You are looking for something that you have never used in this room before, or perhaps never considered using as an accent or accessory. For example, you may have a lovely and unique piece that has been tucked away in a china cabinet for years. Or, you may come across a throw rug that was put away long ago and fogotten, and it may be perfect for this home decor project. If you come across a piece that is hand painted, hand woven or made from natural material, even better.

Bring each piece you have identified into your project room and try to find a place for it that will show the piece off to it’s best advantage, with a goal of minimal accessorizing. You want to avoid filling the walls with pictures just to take up space. Instead, try just one or two of your favorite pieces, a picture or mirror you just ‘discovered′ or an interesting combination of the two. By putting less on the walls and on display, each piece will gain more attention and dimension. For example, you may have placed an antique accent table against a wall in this room. You hung a beautiful oval picture above it, placed a hand painted pitcher on the table with an antique piece of lace as an underlayment, and as a finishing touch placed some natural type of organic such as Baby′s Breath in the pitcher (instead of the usual silk flowers). The particular style used as an example may not match your personal decorating taste, but the result would be the same; simple, understated, inexpensive and natural.

If your closets and cabinets are ‘bare’, try shopping at a discount home decor store and select one or two items that you love, to add to your decor project. Again, keep it simple and understated as you make your selections. When you add these pieces to your room, place them in a way that will emphasize their character and beauty (which is to say, if you purchased a new accent table, don’t put so much stuff on it and around it that you can’t see the table!)

Simple home decorating should be just that – simple. By incorporating these suggestions into your decorating project, you will create a room that is uncluttered and understated, and have accomplished this quickly, easily and inexpensively.